The 2015 EPIC Glacier National Park Meet Up will be held on June 26, 27, 28. We’ll center the activities out of the Apgar area on the west side of the Park.
Travel:
For those coming in by car: The West Entrance is near the communities of Kalispell, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls. The West Entrance provides access to the Lake McDonald area, Park Headquarters, the Apgar Visitor Center and is the west entry point to the Going-to-the-Sun-Road. From Kalispell, take Highway 2 north to West Glacier (approximately 33 miles).
For those coming in by air: Glacier Park International Airport is located near Kalispell and is approximately 30 miles west of the West Entrance. Missoula International Airport is located approximately 150 south of the West Entrance.
For those coming in by train: Amtrak services both East Glacier and West Glacier. Glacier National Park Lodges provides a shuttle (for a fee) that transports West Glacier Amtrak passengers between the train depot and Apgar and the Lake McDonald Lodge. Please call 855-SEEGLACIER (855-733-4522) for more information. Reservations are required.
Lodging in the Park:
Already full! Lake McDonald Lodge (shown above) is one of the classic lodges in the Park. This classic Swiss chalet style lodge is located 10 miles inside Glacier National Park’s west entrance on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, nestled on the shores of the largest lake inside the park. The hotel was designed by Kirtland Cutter, a prominent architect from Spokane, Washington and opened in 1914. Currently the Lodge is operated by Xanterra Parks.
The Lodge has 82 guest rooms split between the three-story main lodge, a row of cabins, Snyder Hall and the exquisite Cobb House. Main lodge rooms are located on the second and third floors. Large/small cabin rooms are located along a tree-lined pathway adjacent to the lodge. All guest rooms at Lake McDonald are rustic, yet comfortable. In keeping in the era in which all the rooms were built, they offer guests modest amenities. Televisions, air conditioning and elevators are not available.
Already Full! Also operated by Xanterra is the Village Inn in Apgar. Built in 1956, The Village Inn at Apgar is located on the serene shore of Lake McDonald just 2 miles inside of Glacier National Park’s west entrance. One-bedroom, full kitchen units are available on the first floor and are equipped with basic utensils, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and stove/oven. One and two-bedroom units that can accommodate up to six people are located on the second floor. Smaller one-bedroom units are located on both floors and can accommodate a maximum of two people. All rooms are rustic yet comfortable offering a variety of bed types and a private bathroom. There are no televisions, air conditioning, or in-room telephones. Second story rooms are accessed via stairs only and all rooms have an incredible lake view.
Located within Glacier National Park along the southern end of picturesque Lake McDonald and the shores of McDonald Creek, Apgar Village Lodge & Cabins features 28 rustic cabins and 20 motel rooms set amidst old growth cedars. All units feature private bathrooms and cabins feature kitchens with refrigerator, stove, toaster and dishes/utensils. For information about rates check here.
Lodging Outside of the Park: West Glacier
Glacier Raft Company Cabins at Glacier Outdoor Center. 406-888-5454. Wifi.
Glaciers’ Mountain Resort. 406-387-5712. Wifi.
Silverwolf Log Chalets. 406-387-4448. Wifi.
Belton Chalet. 406-888-5000.
Hungry Horse:
Historic Tamarack Lodge and Cabins. 406-387-4420. Wifi. Navajo and Jen Hayden will be staying here. There will be a Kossack get together on Sunday the 28th, early evening in the lodge’s lower picnic area.
Mini Goldens Inns Motel,. 406-387-4313. Wifi.
Other:
There are also a number of motels in Columbia Falls, Kalispell, and Whitefish. Since these are more than 20 miles out, I have not listed them. In addition, several of the campgrounds (Glacier Campground, KOA) also have camping cabins.
Note: as a local I have not stayed in any of these, so if others have recommendations, please feel free to mention them in the comments.
Coming up in the next diary: camping.
